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5
The control of infectious diseases is still an important aspect
of our work although several of the diseases which formerly were
prevalent and serious in nature are not now such a problem. Although
we have had no death from Diphtheria for over 13 years,
nor indeed any case for over 11 years, the fact that it has appeared
in nearby districts should emphasise to us the danger of complacency
about this disease.
There were nearly a hundred cases of Scarlet Fever, a similar
figure to last year and similarly mild in character. Measles was
not so prevalent as last year and only 4 were treated in hospital,
and 5 of the 64 cases of whooping-cough required hospital treatment.
Mild dysentery, only 38 cases notified, was relatively uncommon.
We had our first year free of poliomyelitis since 1946. Actually
less than 100 Enfield cases of infectious disease were admitted to
the local infectious disease hospital.
Apart from pneumonia, the only deaths from notifiable infectious
diseases were the 5 deaths from respiratory tuberculosis
and one from another tuberculous condition, and the notifications
of new cases of tuberculosis were considerably less than the previous
year. In fact the year showed the lowest number of deaths from
tuberculosis and the second lowest number of new cases ever recorded.
However, the report of the visit of the Mass Radiography
Unit shows the need for constant vigilance in this disease, especially
in case resistance to drugs develops.
In conclusion I would like to express my appreciation of the
services of the staff of the Health Department during the year.
William D. Hyde,
Medical Officer of Health.